Early hospital readmission post liver transplant, defined as within 30 days of discharge from the same facility, is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, as well as increased costs to patient and hospital. Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate predictive factors of early hospital readmission in liver transplant recipients. Methods: Investigators conducted a single center retrospective study of 134 liver transplant recipients and associated donors transplanted between January 2010 to July 2015 for factors associated with increased risk of 30 day hospital readmission. Results: A total of 62 (46.5%) of transplant recipients were readmitted within 30 days of discharge, with 22 (35%) readmitted within the first 7 days. Readmission rates did not differ between age, race, post operative complications, or length of stay. Level of education and pre-transplant weight were associated with differences in 30-day readmission rates. Patients with a college degree had a readmission rate of 18% versus 51% of patients without a college degree (p=0.006). Patients readmitted were also found to weigh less prior to transplant than patients not readmitted within 30 days, 74.4 versus 83.5 kilograms respectively (p=0.025). Liver transplant recipients with diabetes, simultaneous liver kidney transplant recipients, patients who developed pneumonia, and patients discharged to a rehabilitation facility following hospital admission were rehospitalized more often within 30 days; however these were not found to be a statistically significant factors. Conclusion: In our series, patients with a level of education less than a college degree or low pre-transplant body weight, had a statistically significantly higher 30-day readmission rate. There was a trend toward increased 30-day readmissions in patients who had diabetes, received a simultaneous liver kidney transplant, developed pneumonia post-operatively or were discharged to a rehabilitation facility, but these factors were not found to have statistical significance. However, these patient groups may benefit from future interventions such as adjusted medication teaching and counseling or increased monitoring prior to hospital discharge.

CITATION INFORMATION: Hilliard A, Brokhof M, Geyston J, DeMott J, Chan E, Hertl M, Alvey N. Predictive Factors of Early Hospital Readmission in Liver Transplant Recipients. Am J Transplant. 2016;16 (suppl 3).

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